Economic Development: Conference On Sustainable Digital ID Opens In Côte d'Ivoire

More than 2,500 officials from governments and civil society organisations across Africa yesterday May 12 started attending an event in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, which seeks to advance the conversation on how countries on the continent can further modernise their national identity systems. The four-day event opened with an official ceremony that was attended by the Vice President of the host country, Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, alongside the Minister of Interior and Security, Gen. Vagondo Diomandé, and several top government officials. In his address, the VP thanked the Pan-African identity movement, ID4Africa, for taking the conference to Côte d'Ivoire, saying the move recognises the country's tireless efforts in strengthening its legal identity architecture. He underscored the importance of digital ID as a driver of economic growth, and urged African governments to amplify efforts in building systems that are inclusive and supportive of efficient public service delivery. Dr Joseph Atick, Executive Director of ID4Africa, lauded progress made over the years by many African countries in restructuring their national ID systems, including through the introduction of new legal and governance frameworks, and investments. He said such progress notwithstanding, much more still has to be done in order to make digital ID not only inclusive, but also sustainable, effectively governed and citizen-centric. After the speech-making part of the opening ceremony, the VP and his entourage, together with other top personalities present, made a tour of the exhibition arena of the conference where more than 100 companies are showcasing their cutting-edge technologies related to digital identity and biometrics. The conference is taking place at the iconic Parc des Exposition event centre in Abidjan. Meanwhile, the off...